Laminate flooring cost in Racine, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (500 sq ft)
- $1,800 – $6,400
- Per sq ft
- $3.60 – $13
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $4,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #193
- 1 = most expensive
Racine homeowners pay roughly $1,800 to $6,400 to install laminate flooring at 500 sq ft, or $3.60 to $13 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Racine is 9% lower. Floor layers (except carpet, wood and hard tiles) earn a median of $22.09 an hour in the Racine area, 19% below the US median of $27.15.
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Estimated cost for 500 sq ft in Racine, WI, standard level
$3,200 to $5,000
About $6.35 to $10 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 60% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $2,100 |
| Labor | $2,000 | $2,900 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $3,200 | $5,000 |
Cost breakdown for 500 sq ft in Racine, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $470 | $1,650 | $2,800 | 40% |
| Labor | $1,350 | $2,450 | $3,550 | 60% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $1,800 | $4,100 | $6,400 | 100% |
Where the Racine price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: floor layers (except carpet, wood and hard tiles) at 60%, carpenters at 40%. Weighted together, Racine wages are 0.89 times the national level. Labor makes up about 60% of the midpoint estimate (61% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Racine metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 500 sq ft comes to $1,650, compared with $1,750 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (96.0) and land at $0 to $0.
Is Racine cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (500 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Chicago is the priciest of the group at $5,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Racine, WIthis page | $1,800 – $6,400 | $4,100 | |
| Milwaukee, WI10 miles | $1,950 – $6,750 | $4,350 | +6% |
| Kenosha, WI15 miles | $1,950 – $7,000 | $4,500 | +10% |
| Sheboygan, WI65 miles | $1,950 – $6,700 | $4,350 | +6% |
| Janesville, WI65 miles | $2,050 – $7,050 | $4,550 | +11% |
| Chicago, IL70 miles | $2,450 – $8,350 | $5,400 | +32% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $1,950 – $6,700 | $4,300 | +6% |
| United States | $2,000 – $7,000 | $4,500 | +10% |
Across 300 US metros, Racine comes in at #193 from the top. The priciest is San Jose, CA at $6,350; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $3,550 (midpoints, 500 sq ft). Statewide, Racine is 5% below the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $1,950 – $6,750 | $4,350 | +6% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $1,900 – $6,600 | $4,250 | +4% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $2,050 – $7,000 | $4,500 | +10% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $1,950 – $6,700 | $4,300 | +6% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $2,150 – $7,300 | $4,700 | +15% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $1,900 – $6,600 | $4,250 | +4% |
Cities with a workforce like Racine's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Racine against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Napa, CA | 77,860 jobs | $2,300 – $7,900 | $5,100 | +25% |
| Warner Robins, GA | 76,050 jobs | $1,700 – $6,100 | $3,900 | −5% |
| Chico, CA | 78,220 jobs | $2,200 – $7,650 | $4,950 | +21% |
| Kenosha, WI | 75,450 jobs | $1,950 – $7,000 | $4,500 | +10% |
Laminate flooring: what moves the price in Racine
Heated floors
Radiant floor heating adds $7-$17 per sq ft and has to go in before the floor does.
Brand
Name-brand laminate such as Pergo runs $5-$17 per sq ft installed.
Floating versus glued
Click-lock or floating laminate is the easiest and cheapest to install (HomeGuide).
Cost by quality level and size in Racine
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Racine wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 3 common sizes.
Basic
$1,800 to $3,650
Basic click-lock laminate on a flat subfloor
Standard
$3,200 to $5,000
Thicker waterproof laminate, standard trim
Premium
$4,550 to $6,400
Premium or brand-name laminate, subfloor repair
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| one room (200 sq ft) | $720 – $1,450 | $1,250 – $2,000 | $1,800 – $2,550 |
| main floor (500 sq ft) | $1,800 – $3,650 | $3,200 – $5,000 | $4,550 – $6,400 |
| whole house (1,200 sq ft) | $4,350 – $8,700 | $7,600 – $12,000 | $10,900 – $15,300 |
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 2 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Racine is 0.89 times the national level.
For floor layers (except carpet, wood and hard tiles) (47-2042, weighted 60%) the local median is $22.09 an hour, which is 19% below the national $27.15. The middle half of them earn between $21.95 and $26.06 an hour. BLS counts 30 of them working in the area, 3.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 1.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 40%) the local median is $29.29 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.17 and $40.84 an hour. BLS counts 320 of them working in the area, 42.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the floor layers (except carpet, wood and hard tiles) on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($26.06 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $240. At the 25th percentile ($21.95) it shrinks by about $10. The total moves by 5.9% or 0.2%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 76,280 jobs in the Racine-Mount Pleasant area. That makes it the 243rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floor layers (except carpet, wood and hard tiles) (47-2042) | 60% | $21.95 | $22.09 | $26.06 | $27.15 | 0.81 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $24.17 | $29.29 | $40.84 | $29.12 | 1.01 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.89 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Racine
Because every project leans on different trades, Racine's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, bathroom remodel runs +4% and hardwood flooring −6%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring | 500 sq ft | $5,200 – $11,800 | −6% |
| Tile flooring | 200 sq ft | $2,650 – $9,950 | +2% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $18,000 – $30,600 | −3% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,850 – $24,100 | +4% |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $3,200 to $5,000 for Racine, WI is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
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Laminate flooring in Racine: your questions
+How much does it cost to install laminate flooring in Racine?
For 500 sq ft, expect $1,800 to $6,400 in the Racine area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,200 to $5,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for laminate floor in Racine?
About $3.60 to $13 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $0 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $4 to $14.
+Is laminate floor cheaper in Racine or Milwaukee?
Milwaukee is 10 miles away. The midpoint for 500 sq ft there is $4,350, which is 6% more than Racine ($4,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Racine?
About 60% at the midpoint, or $2,450 out of $4,100. Materials are 40% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 61%.
+What would main floor (500 sq ft) cost in Racine?
$1,800 to $6,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does laminate floor need a permit in Racine?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $0 for fees in the Racine area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Racine expensive for laminate floor compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Racine is 5% below the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($4,300 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do floor layers (except carpet, wood and hard tiles) earn in Racine?
The BLS median is $22.09 an hour in the Racine area, compared with $27.15 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.95 to $26.06.
+What do basic and premium laminate floor work cost in Racine?
For 500 sq ft, basic work runs $1,800 to $3,650 and premium work $4,550 to $6,400. Basic means: basic click-lock laminate on a flat subfloor. Premium means: premium or brand-name laminate, subfloor repair.
Laminate flooring near Racine
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does Laminate Flooring Installation Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
Note on derived figures: Materials = installed price minus HomeGuide's $3-$8 per sq ft laminate labor, matched low-to-low and high-to-high.